scholarly journals Healthy eating: a matter of prioritisation by households or policymakers?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Joreintje Dingena Mackenbach
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food System ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Abstract I reflect upon the potential reasons why American low-income households do not spend an optimal proportion of their food budgets on fruits and vegetables, even though this would allow them to meet the recommended levels of fruit and vegetable consumption. Other priorities than health, automatic decision-making processes and access to healthy foods play a role, but solutions for the persistent socio-economic inequalities in diet should be sought in the wider food system which promotes cheap, mass-produced foods. I argue that, ultimately, healthy eating is not a matter of prioritisation by individual households but by policymakers.

Promoting Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Through a Community-School Partnership: The Effects of Marathon Kids® on Low-Income Elementary School Children in Texas

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 739-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Springer ◽  
Steven H. Kelder ◽  
Nalini Ranjit ◽  
Heather Hochberg-Garrett ◽  
Sherman Crow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Elementary School ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
School Children ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Elementary School Children ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Impact

Background:Marathon Kids® (MK) is a community and school-based program that promotes running, walking, and healthy eating in elementary school children. This study assessed the impact of MK on self-reported physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC), and related psycho-social factors in a sample of low-income, 4th- and 5th-grade students in Texas (n = 511). Intervention strategies included structured school running time, behavioral tracking, celebratory events, and rewards.Methods:A quasi-experimental design with 5 intervention (MK) and 3 comparison schools was employed. Students were assessed at baseline in the fall and at 3 time points during 2008 to 09. Mixed-effect regression methods were used to model pooled means, adjusting for baseline and sociodemographic variables.Results:MK students reported a higher mean time of running in past 7 days compared with non-MK students (mean = 4.38 vs. 3.83, respectively. P = .002), with a standardized effect size of 0.16. Mean times of FVC (P = .008), athletic identity self-concept (P < .001), PA outcome expectations (P = .007), and PA and FVC self-efficacy (P < .001 and P = .02, respectively) were also higher in MK students. Fewer differences in social support were observed.Conclusion:Findings provide further evidence on the importance of community and school partnerships for promoting PA and healthy eating in children.

scholarly journals Parent Instrumentality for Adolescent Eating and Activity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Orehek ◽  
Rebecca Ferrer
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
National Sample ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Adolescent Engagement ◽  
Healthy Activity

Background: Parent-adolescent interactions have health implications for adolescents. Parents can be instrumental to healthy eating by purchasing fruits and vegetables or refraining from purchasing hedonic (low nutrient, high energy-dense) foods. Parents can be instrumental to healthy activity by modeling exercise behavior or discouraging sedentary activities. Purpose: This research leverages theory on goal pursuit within relationships to investigate whether parents are instrumental to adolescent’s eating and activity. Methods: Using a national sample of 1556 parent-adolescent dyads, we conducted dyadic analyses to examine whether parent instrumentality (both parent-perceived and adolescent-perceived) for healthy behaviors was associated with adolescent engagement in those behaviors. We examined whether the link between parent instrumentality and adolescent BMI was mediated by parent instrumentality. We also explored whether parent instrumentality was associated with parent behaviors and parent BMI. Results: Greater adolescent-perceived parent instrumentality was associated with greater fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, and lower sedentariness. Parent-perceived parent instrumentality was associated with greater adolescent fruit and vegetable consumption, less hedonic eating, and more activity. Mediation modeling suggests that adolescent BMI is partially attributable to parent instrumentality for activity. Instrumental parents also engage in healthier behaviors, some of which in turn are associated with lower parent BMI. Conclusions: Findings have implications for the promotion of healthy eating and activity patterns among adolescents. Parental instrumentality for behavior may be an important target for interventions to improve adolescent health, and interventions may be most successful in facilitating adolescent behavior change if they target both parent- and adolescent-perceived parent instrumentality.

scholarly journals Parent Instrumentality for Adolescent Eating and Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 652-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Orehek ◽  
Rebecca Ferrer
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
National Sample ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Adolescent Engagement ◽  
Healthy Activity

Abstract Background Parent–adolescent interactions have health implications for adolescents. Parents can be instrumental to healthy eating by purchasing fruits and vegetables or refraining from purchasing hedonic (low nutrient, high energy-dense) foods. Parents can be instrumental to healthy activity by modeling exercise behavior or discouraging sedentary activities. Purpose This research leverages theory on goal pursuit within relationships to investigate whether parents are instrumental to adolescents’ eating and activity. Methods Using a national sample of 1,556 parent–adolescent dyads, we conducted dyadic analyses to examine whether parent instrumentality (both parent-perceived and adolescent-perceived) for healthy behaviors was associated with adolescent engagement in those behaviors. We examined whether the link between parent instrumentality and adolescent BMI was mediated by parent instrumentality. We also explored whether parent instrumentality was associated with parent behaviors and parent BMI. Results Greater adolescent-perceived parent instrumentality was associated with greater fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, and lower sedentariness. Parent-perceived parent instrumentality was associated with greater adolescent fruit and vegetable consumption, less hedonic eating, and more activity. Mediation modeling suggests that adolescent BMI is partially attributable to parent instrumentality for activity. Instrumental parents also engage in healthier behaviors, some of which in turn are associated with lower parent BMI. Conclusions Findings have implications for the promotion of healthy eating and activity patterns among adolescents. Parental instrumentality for behavior may be an important target for interventions to improve adolescent health, and interventions may be most successful in facilitating adolescent behavior change if they target both parent- and adolescent-perceived parent instrumentality.

A Pilot Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program Improves Local Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Nutrition Knowledge, and Food Purchasing Practices

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110181
Author(s):  
Nicholas Slagel ◽  
Taylor Newman ◽  
Laurel Sanville ◽  
Jennifer Jo Thompson ◽  
Jackie Dallas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Food Purchasing

Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) programs rely on diverse community and clinic partnerships to improve food security and fruit and vegetable consumption among medically underserved patient populations. Despite the growth in these programs, little is known about the feasibility or effectiveness of the unique partnerships developed to implement FVRx programs conducted in both community and free safety-net clinic settings. A 6-month nonrandomized controlled trial of an FVRx program was pilot tested with 54 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)–eligible adults with diet-related chronic conditions. The intervention combined monthly produce prescriptions for local produce at a farmers market, SNAP-Ed direct nutrition education, and health screenings for low-income adults. Process and outcome evaluations were conducted with respective samples using administrative program data (recruitment, retention, and prescription redemption) and self-administered pre- and postintervention surveys with validated measures on dietary intake, nutrition knowledge and behavior, and food purchasing practices. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. The FVRx program retained 77.3% of participants who spent nearly 90% of their prescription dollars. After the intervention, the FVRx group reported significantly increased total intake of fruits and vegetables, knowledge of fresh fruit and vegetable preparation, purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables from a farmers market, and significantly altered food purchasing practices compared with the control group. Community-based nutrition education organizations enhance the feasibility and effectiveness of community and clinic-based FVRx programs for improving low-income adults’ ability to enhance food and nutrition-related behaviors.

The Effect of the Maryland WIC 5-a-Day Promotion Program on Participants’ Stages of Change for Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 649-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. L. Feldman ◽  
Dorothy Damron ◽  
Jean Anliker ◽  
Michael Ballesteros ◽  
Patricia Langenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stages Of Change ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Black African ◽  
Promotion Program ◽  
Target Behaviors

The Maryland Women, Infants and Children (WIC) 5-A-Day Promotion Program examined the effect of a multifaceted nutrition intervention on changing the fruit and vegetable consumption of low-income women in the WIC program in Maryland. The sample consisted of 3,122 participants (1,443 intervention and 1,679 control) with a mean age of 27.2. Fifty-six percent were Black/African American. This article focuses on the effect of the intervention on the stages of change of the participants. Intervention participants showed significantly greater positive movement through the stages than control participants. Stages of change were measured for two specific target behaviors: eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and eating more servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Results demonstrated significant differences in the stage status of intervention and control women and in movement through the stages. The effectiveness of the intervention across groups depended on which staging measure was used.

scholarly journals Perceptions of the food shopping environment are associated with greater consumption of fruits and vegetables

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1124-1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan L Blitstein ◽  
Jeremy Snider ◽  
W Douglas Evans
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Low Income Population ◽  
Food Shopping ◽  
Perceived Costs

AbstractObjectiveThe present study examined whether characteristics such as quality, selection and convenience are associated with dietary intake of fruits and vegetables independent of perceived costs in an inner-city, low-income population.DesignSecondary analysis of baseline data from a social marketing intervention designed to change household dietary practices among parents of 3- to 7-year-old children.SettingA community sample drawn from six low-income, primarily minority neighbourhoods in Chicago, IL, USA.SubjectsFrom the parent study, 526 respondents completed the baseline survey and were eligible for inclusion. Of this number, 495 provided complete data on sociodemographic characteristics, fruit and vegetable consumption, perceptions of the shopping environment, perceived costs of fruits and vegetables, and food shopping habits.ResultsLogistic regression analysis showed that more positive perceptions of the food shopping environment were associated with greater consumption of fruits and vegetables. There was an increase of approximately twofold in the likelihood of consuming three or more fruits and vegetables daily per level of satisfaction ascribed to the shopping environment. This association was independent of perceived cost, store type and sociodemographic characteristics.ConclusionsOur data show that among a generally minority and low-income population, quality, selection and convenience are important determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption. Nutrition promotion campaigns that aim to alter the built environment by increasing access to fruits and vegetables should recognize that simply increasing availability may not yield beneficial change when characteristics of the shopping context are ignored.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Physical Activity by Gender and Race/Ethnicity - California, 2005-2006

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Faith Epstein ◽  
Sharon Sugerman ◽  
Patrick Mitchell ◽  
Marta Induni
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Regular Physical Activity ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Diets high in fruits and vegetables and participation in regular physical activity are associated with a lower risk for several chronic diseases and conditions. The present study analyzed the combined prevalence of these two activities by race/ethnicity and gender among adults in California and among adults in California at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL), using self-reported data from the 2005 and 2006 California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Findings for California were similar to findings for the nation, showing gender and racial/ethnic differences for each of these variables, singly and in combination. Also, low-income men had a significantly lower prevalence of goal-level fruit and vegetable consumption than did low-income women. Although some demographic disparities are evident among Californians, the prevalence of achievement of two key healthy lifestyle behaviors concurrently remains quite low. These results emphasize the need for promoting diets high in fruits and vegetables and regular physical activity among all Californians.

Perceived environmental supports for fruit and vegetable consumption among older adults in the US

2021 ◽  
pp. 026010602199374
Author(s):  
Qianzhi Jiang ◽  
Sarah L. Francis ◽  
Karen M. Chapman-Novakofski ◽  
McKenzie Wilt ◽  
Elena T. Carbone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Additional Support

Background: The physical and social environments surrounding food, whether perceived or observed, can influence consumers’ food choices by changing food access, and affordability, or by changing settings where food-related behaviors occur. Aim: To describe older adults’ perceived food environment, identify the most important sites and factors that enable healthy eating, and explore older adults’ recommendations for communities to facilitate fruit and vegetable consumption. Methods: Participants aged 60 and older from metropolitan areas in Massachusetts, Iowa, and Illinois completed a researcher-administered survey to rate the perceived environment including accessibility, availability, and affordability of fruits and vegetables, and perceived importance of factors and establishments related to fruit and vegetable consumption. Participants also suggested changes for establishments to facilitate fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: The majority of the 142 participants perceived their food environment for fruits and vegetables as not difficult to access (85.2%) with good or excellent availability (90.1%). Education, marital status, and race were associated with some aspects of the perceived food environment. Perceived accessibility and supermarkets were rated as the most important factor and establishment, respectively, to facilitate fruit and vegetable consumption across all study sites. Participants proposed recommendations to address the availability, quality, accessibility and affordability of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion: Interventions promoting accessible, affordable, quality fruits and vegetables may improve older adult consumers’ perceptions of their food environment. Communities may also use undervalued resources such as mobile markets more strategically to provide additional support for healthy eating in older adults.

scholarly journals NP19 A Supermarket Intervention to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Low-Income Families

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. S18-S19
Author(s):  
Michele Polacsek ◽  
Alyssa Moran ◽  
Anne Thorndike ◽  
Rebecca Franckle ◽  
Rebecca Boulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Low Income Families
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